12 days: Holy Land & Rome

This is a SAMPLE ITINERARY, which may serve as a starting point for planning your customized pilgrimage.Contact us to customize a tour based on your desired travel dates and destinations.

Day 1: USA
We depart for our international flight to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.

Day 2: Tel Aviv
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we are met by our tour escort and transferred to our hotel in Tiberius. Time before dinner to relax and get settled. (D)

Day 3: Galilee
Our exploration of the Holy Land begins with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and visit Ginnorsar where we see a fisherman’s boat that dates to Christ’s time. We continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Our next stop is Tabgha, site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. We will also visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter and Capernaum. This afternoon we will journey to the Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 4: Jerusalem
Today we travel to Cana, site of the Wedding Feast. We continue on to Nazareth in Lower Galilee, the place where Jesus grew up and lived most of his life. We visit the Church of the Annunciation; built over the Grotto of the Annunciation, the place where early Christian tradition says the Angel Gabriel spoke to the Blessed Mother. We continue to Joseph’s carpentry workshop. This afternoon we head to the Carmelite Monastery at the Muhraka, site of Elijah’s altar. Paintings in the church dome depict Old Testament stories, including one of Elijah being swept up to heaven in a fiery chariot. We continue to Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea to discover the ancient Crusader and Roman town, its aqueduct and theatre. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Day 5: Jerusalem
Today we begin with a view of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. We then travel to Ein Kerem, where the Blessed Mother went in haste to visit Elizabeth. We will also visit the birthplace of St John the Baptist. We continue on to Bethlehem for an inspiring visit to the Church of the Nativity. Return to our hotel in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Day 6: Jerusalem
We begin the day walking the Via Dolorosa, which winds through the streets of Old Jerusalem and commemorates the path that Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion. We visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, containing the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. We continue our tour with a visit to the Dormition Abbey and the House of Caiaphas where Peter denied Christ three times. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B,D)

Day 7: Jerusalem
We begin our morning in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Mass, we will head to Masada, the Dead Sea and time permitting Qumran. (B,D)

Day 8: Jerusalem / Rome
After breakfast we will pack up for our journey to Rome. Before we head to the airport we will stop at the steps of the old temple. Continue on to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight to Rome. (B,D)

Day 9: Rome
Today will consist of a half day tour of Christian Rome with visits to include the Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the walls, and St. Peter in Chains, and one of the Catacombs. (B,D)

Day 10: Rome
After breakfast we will head to St Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience (depending on the Holy Father’s schedule). In the afternoon, we will begin our tour of Ancient Rome, viewing such sites as Capitoline Hill, Forum, Colosseum (interior tour), Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, the Old Appian Way, and Palazzo Venezia. Dinner and over night in Rome. (B,D)

Day 11: Rome
Today is a free day for personal site seeing or shopping. Arrangements can be made to tour the Vatican Museum, for those interested, at additional cost. (B,D)

Day 12: Rome
After breakfast we depart for the Rome Airport for our return flight home. (B)